Keyboard device

Abstract

A keyboard device includes plural key structures, an electronic paper display element and an illumination module. The electronic paper display element is disposed under the plural key structures. The plural key symbols corresponding to the plural key structures are displayed on the electronic paper display element. The illumination module is disposed over the electronic paper display element to provide a light beam to the electronic paper display element. Consequently, the plural key symbols are illuminated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A keyboard device, comprising:
 plural key structures comprising plural keycaps, respectively, wherein when the plural keycaps are not depressed, the plural keycaps are returned to an original position in response to a magnetic force or an elastic force, wherein each of the plural key structures further comprises:
 a frame module, wherein the corresponding keycap is movable within the frame module, wherein the frame module comprises a key frame and a connecting element, wherein the connecting element is disposed under the key frame, the keycap is movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the key frame through the connecting element; 
 a first magnetic element disposed on the corresponding keycap; and 
 a second magnetic element disposed on the frame module, wherein the magnetic force is generated by the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element, and the second magnetic element is disposed on the connecting element; 
 
 an electronic paper display element, wherein plural key symbols are displayed on the electronic paper display element; 
 plural optical switch modules corresponding to the plural key structures, wherein each of the plural optical switch modules comprises an optical emitter and an optical sensor, wherein the optical emitter emits a first light beam, and the optical sensor senses the first light beam; 
 a processing unit electrically connected with the optical sensor and generating a corresponding key signal according to a sensing result of the optical sensor, wherein the sensing result is determined according to a location of the corresponding keycap; and 
 an illumination module emitting a second light beam to the electronic paper display element so as to illuminate the plural key symbols. 
 
     
     
       2. The keyboard device according to  claim 1 , wherein the illumination module is a front light source, and the front light source is disposed over the electronic paper display element. 
     
     
       3. The keyboard device according to  claim 1 , wherein the illumination module is a fiber-optic light source, and each of the plural key structures further comprises a frame module, wherein the fiber-optic light source is buried within the frame module. 
     
     
       4. The keyboard device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plural key structures further comprises an elastic element, and the elastic element is disposed under the keycap, wherein while the keycap is depressed, the elastic element is compressed to generate the elastic force, wherein when the keycap is not depressed, the keycap is returned to an original position in response to the elastic force. 
     
     
       5. The keyboard device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit generates the corresponding key signal when the first light beam is received by the optical sensor, or the processing unit generates the corresponding key signal when the first light beam is not received by the optical sensor. 
     
     
       6. The keyboard device according to  claim 5 , wherein each of the plural key structure further comprises a frame module, and the corresponding optical switch module is disposed within the frame module, wherein the optical emitter and the optical sensor are on two opposite sides of the corresponding keycap, or the optical emitter and the optical sensor are on the same side of the corresponding keycap. 
     
     
       7. The keyboard device according to  claim 5 , wherein the first light beam is directly projected to the optical sensor, or the first light beam is projected to the optical sensor after being reflected. 
     
     
       8. A keyboard device, comprising:
 plural key structures comprising plural keycaps, respectively; 
 an electronic paper display element, wherein plural key symbols are displayed on the electronic paper display element; 
 plural optical switch modules corresponding to the plural key structures, wherein each of the plural optical switch modules comprises an optical emitter and an optical sensor, wherein the optical emitter emits a first light beam, and the optical sensor senses the first light beam; 
 a processing unit electrically connected with the optical sensor and generating a corresponding key signal according to a sensing result of the optical sensor, wherein the sensing result is determined according to a location of the corresponding keycap; and 
 an illumination module emitting a second light beam to the electronic paper display element so as to illuminate the plural key symbols, wherein the illumination module is a fiber-optic light source, and each of the plural key structure further comprises a frame module, wherein the fiber-optic light source is buried within the frame module.